A WORLD OF HOPE
Can England finally break its World Cup duck, or will the reborn Aussies reign supreme again?
CRICKET WORLD CUP PREVIEW:
WHILE Australia has been suitably flying under the radar, all the pressure is on the hosts heading into the 2019 ICC World Cup. Like most experts, former Australian all-rounder and now Fox Cricket commentator Brendon Julian has England as his frontrunner to win. But he’s certainly not discounting the seemingly rejuvenated Aussies claiming an incredible sixth crown in seven campaigns. Eoin Morgan’s side are the No.1 ranked one-day performers in the world, marginally ahead of India, and on the first line of betting at $3 with Ladbrokes to win the country’s first World Cup. “I have England as my favourites, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the pressure of being the home country, not having won a World Cup (gets to them),” Julian said. “I’m not convinced they will be able to handle it. “They’ve stuffed it up so many other times.” England has not made it to a final since 1992 in Australia. Joe Root is the only Englishman listed among the world’s top 10 ranked ODI batsmen, but the hosts possess an array of explosive hitters such as Jason Roy and Jos Buttler. The Poms have notched 400-plus in an innings four times in the past three years, including their record 6-481 against Australia in 2018. That said, with the spotlight firmly on them they will be put to the test from the get-go when they take on South Africa in the competition opener tonight at The Oval – against bowlers with “a bit of heat”, namely Kagiso Rabada. Veteran Dale Steyn will miss with a shoulder injury. “I’m looking forward to that showdown,” Julian said. “If England get beaten …
that will send a massive ripple through their campaign.” As for the defending champs, they have slipped to fifth in the ODI team rankings, but their confidence is rising. After losing 22 of 26 games during a tumultuous period on and off the field, they have hit form at the right time and welcomed back banned pair Steve Smith and David Warner with open arms. Smith has piled on the runs since his return, with scores of 89 not out, 91 not out, 76 and 116 in his past four innings. “I must admit, I’ve been really happy with the way the Aussies have been performing in the warm-up games,” Julian said. “They are only warm-up games, but Smith and Warner coming back has obviously made a difference. These two guys want to perform well.” Much has been made of the make-up of the Australian line-up, but Julian wants skipper Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja to open with Warner at three and Smith playing the anchor role at four. “Finch and Khawaja are quite settled at the top,” Julian said, adding all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell were the ideal five and six. “Stoinis is right ... he’s proven to be a matchwinner. I think he’s a vital part with Maxwell in the middle order. “They are the two who can really turn a game. You need them in your side. I’d be locking them in straight away. “Shaun Marsh misses out even though he had a really good last one-day tournament in England (last year).” Pat Cummins, who has collected 17 wickets from his past five ODI games, will be Finch’s trump card with the ball. “He’ll get thrown the ball when the main (opposition) batsman comes in,” Julian said. Mitch Starc, the destroyer in Australia’s successful 2015 campaign, will also be keen to make an impact, with Nathan Coulter-Nile and Kane Richardson the other pace bowling options in the attack. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa should get first crack over Test tweaker Nathan Lyon. “I’d give the nod to Zampa at the start,” Julian said. “I think he’s deserved it.” Australia plays its first game on Saturday night against Afghanistan at Bristol. With the No.1 ranked batsman, Virat Kohli, and No.1 ranked bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, the Indians loom large. “I think they’ve got the best batting line-up in the whole comp,” Julian said. “But I reckon this comp is pretty open ... it will be a really tightly contested World Cup. “My sneaky chance is New Zealand. They don’t have the superstars of the other teams, but they play really well together.” Julian will have a few “late nights” hosting Fox Cricket’s coverage over the next month from Australia. With just 10 teams taking part in a condensed 12th edition of the Cup there are fewer minnows making up numbers. “It’s a real test for the 50over game,” Julian said. “I don’t think it’s dead and buried (but) it will be interesting to see what the crowds are like. T20 has taken off domestically all around the world. “One good thing (with this World Cup) is you’re going to see the best teams playing against each other. Forget the pools, just get straight into it.”